Tatler Hong Kong

How to Throw Money at the Problem

Private islands, luxury doomsday bunkers, survivalist yachts—what’s next?

While the world faces a seemingly unending parade of self-inflicted crises that have upended any sense of global stability in modern times, there will always be a dime to be made from the fear economy. Last August, long before the tragic unfolding of the novel coronavirus that would cost thousands of lives around the world, there were already reminders that those with means will seek shelter in any storm, and preferably one with five stars or more. A CNN report noted at the time that many hedge fund managers, sports stars and tech execs had already designed their own secret shelters to house their families in the event of catastrophe. “Bill Gates is rumored to have bunkers at all his properties,” or so said the most trusted name in news. Who wouldn’t?

It’s a little bit horrifying, but also a little bit fascinating, that former community shelters have been transformed into private bunkers for the ultra-rich, where the privilege of a good night’s sleep—or any night’s sleep for that matter—will cost.

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Tatler Hong Kong

Tatler Hong Kong7 min read
The Right Ingrdients
Vietnamese-born French film director and screenwriter Tran Anh Hung likes a good challenge. “Oh, I don’t cook,” he says. That didn’t stop him from adapting Marcel Rouff ’s 1920 novel The Passionate Epicure into a 136-minute film, The Taste of Things
Tatler Hong Kong1 min read
Tatler FEATURES
PHOTOGRAPHY KIU KA YEE (HUNG) IMAGE COURTESY OF DAVID ZWIRNER, NEW YORK, HONG KONG; GALERIE BUCHHOLZ, BERLIN, COLOGNE; MAUREEN PALEY, LONDON (WINDOW) ■
Tatler Hong Kong5 min read
It’s Just A Number
I moved to Hong Kong from mainland China with my parents when I was 12 years old. I loved art and sport. I knew I had an interest in art in secondary school. I learnt drawing as an extracurricular activity when I was 11 years old. I was not very good

Related